IT'S SUMMER, THERE'S CAMPING DEALS, SO GO CAMPING

Summer is almost here (finally) and it's time to go camping. To celebrate National Great Outdoors Month in June, GoCampingAmerica.com will post e-coupons starting May 15 to allow customers a 20 percent discount on participating campgrounds all over the place. The site features the largest searchable database of privately owned and operated campgrounds in the U.S. If you're in need of an RV for camping, El Monte RV and Camping World are partnering with the site to offer discounts for the month of June to celebrate Great Outdoors Month as well.

AND SO THE HASTINGS WAY CONSTRUCTION BEGINS

The construction of Hastings Way just started, and we assume it's already annoying you. Stretching from Clairemont to the Eau Claire River, the first phase of the project involves closing the southbound lanes, which means all traffic will be moving to the northbound lanes. Two-way traffic will then switch back over to the south to work on the old north lanes around July. The bulk of the project is expected to be complete by September, with finishing touches done in November. With cost a main concern, just before starting the construction the city council voted against a pedestrian underpass at Regis High School, allowing for a more than $500,000 cut.

LOCAL MUSICIAN STARTS UP SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Area youth musicians have an opportunity to receive a $250 scholarship thanks to local musician Evan Middlesworth and his recording studio Pine Hollow. All currently enrolled Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire high school students are eligible, provided they have a 2.5 or higher GPA, an official high school transcript, and a letter of recommendation from a music educator. The Audio Scholarship Award recipient will also show their dedication and devotion to the music through a 500-word essay, including a plan for how the scholarship will fund their musical interest in a non-school setting. All applications must be received by Debra Johnson at the Heyde Center, 726-9000, djohn_98@yahoo.com by June 1. The award will be announced June 28.

LONG WAIT FOR 3G FINALLY ENDS, PEOPLE DANCE AND REJOICE

After months and months of rumors that Eau Claire would be getting 3G for iPhone users – seriously we were hearing rumblings about it all over the place – the long-anticipated moment finally came in late April. The fated realization came to us at roughly 9pm on April 28, as we were sitting at Clancy's after the uproarious new Found Footage Festival screening at Downtown Cinemas when, alas, we noticed 3G service on the old mobile. Excelsior! Of course, this isn't news to you Sprint and Verizon service folks. You had 3G, like, For Emma Ago. Now who wants to place bets on 4G, whatever that means?